Sunday 7th February is Charles Dickens’ birthday, a man widely regarded as the most successful author of the Victorian era. Joffe Books, as on the ball as usual have alerted Frost Magazine to three of the books they are highlighting to celebrate the birth of this great social chronicler of the Victorian era.
FAR ABOVE RUBIES | THE BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE | THE GILDED CAGE by Anne-Marie Vukelic each follow a different connection in Charles Dickens’ life and provide fascinating insights into this extraordinary period of our history.
FAR ABOVE RUBIES ONLY 99P / 99C FOR A LIMITED TIME
The captivating story of Charles Dickens’ wife in her own words. Being married to a literary genius isn’t easy. ‘So if I was on the edge of reason, who was to blame? I for not disciplining my boisterous thoughts, or my husband for pushing me beyond the limits of what any woman should have to bear?’ London, December 1834. At her father’s famous Boxing Day party, young Catherine Hogarth falls in love with an up-and-coming writer.
The only problem is — so does her sister.
Catherine can’t wait to become Mrs Dickens. But do her husband’s affections really lie with her sister? Catherine recounts the ups and downs of her marriage to the restless, mercurial Dickens.
THE BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE
OUT NOW FOR ONLY £1.99 / $2.99
“All that I can see, all that I can hear, and all that I can think of is her; she is everywhere and everything to me…” In the summer of 1857, Charles Dickens becomes obsessed with a woman who will change his life forever. To pursue her, he will risk everything. The woman who haunts his every thought is young actress, Ellen Ternan. Dickens, for all his originality, daring and brilliance, is not free. He is bound by Victorian moral and social convention.
Meanwhile his family is in turmoil. His son struggles with being the heir of the world’s most famous author.
“I only ask to be free: the butterflies are free.” Bleak House, Charles Dickens
THE GILDED CAGE
ON OFFER NOW FOR ONLY 99P / 99C
A GRIPPING HISTORICAL NOVEL BASED ON ONE YOUNG HEIRESS’S REAL-LIFE STRUGGLE
Please note this book was originally published as “Caged Angel”
London, 1837. At 23, Angela Burdett inherits her grandfather’s share in Coutts Bank. She is now the richest woman in England. Working alongside her close friend, Charles Dickens, she establishes a home for ‘fallen women’. Angela will refuse multiple proposals of marriage. She prefers her role of ‘queen of the poor’. With Dickens as her champion, she is free to explore opportunities not usually open to women of her time.
But her high-profile position draws the attention of mentally unstable barrister, Richard Dunn. Through his journal of bloodstained poems and deranged fantasies, the frenzied consciousness of Richard Dunn is revealed.
AN ENGROSSING EXPOSURE OF THE DANGERS OF OBSESSION AND A WOMAN’S LIFE IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THESE HISTORICAL NOVELS BY ANNE-MARIE VUKELIC – AVAILABLE NOW!
Typically entrepreneurial Joffe Books keeps an eye on various anniversaries and marries authors’ books to these events, and this is one of the strengths of this award winning independent publisher – they are creative in alerting readers to their books. So what books? Who chooses which ones to publish?
Let’s meet another of the team EMMA GRUNDY HAIGH COMMISSIONING AND MANAGING EDITOR
WHAT I DO: As well as working in tandem with both editors and authors to create exceptional books, a key part of my role is discovering new (and new to us) talent — so reading submissions, seeking out exciting authors at events, through prizes or by building great relationships with agents. I am also constantly looking for new and interesting ways of securing our reputation as one of the industry’s innovators.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021: Participating in increasing access into publishing, by leading workshops and webinars for both prospective authors and people looking to get into publishing. (I have a growing series of events coming up that I cannot wait to begin.)
FAVOURITE BOOKS: I can’t be expected to pick a favourite Joffe Books title, there are just too many. So it has to be The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. It’s just exquisite. The short story I return to almost yearly is ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson. Linking the two are twists that send your heart into your throat as everything you thought you knew gets turned on its head.
More information available at Joffe Books